by Susan Rohrer
“She wants to be with you. And, as it happens, funny enough, so do I.” For the longest time he just gazed, so contentedly into her eyes. Gently, he ran his fingers through her hair. “You see me. In a way no woman ever has. And I want to see you. So much more than I already do.”
He drew her hands into his. “Laurel, I told you I needed the past couple of days alone, time to deal with things. A lot of that was about Clay, like I said, but it was also... When you don’t talk to God for almost thirty years—well, I suppose there’s a lot of catching up to do.”
Laurel’s heart brimmed. That seed she’d been given to plant in his heart—it was taking root.
He scratched at his jaw. “You mentioned how you like to keep short accounts.
“Sometimes easier said than done.”
“I’ll admit that I’m kind of wrestling with that,” he said. “Especially when it comes to Tom Zoring.”
She stroked the back of his hand. “That one may take awhile.”
“And I’m committed to getting there, but part of that brings me to...” Regret weighed on his face. “I lied to you, Laurel. I’m sorry. I don’t ever want to do that again.”
“I know.”
“I know you do. You’ve known all along, but still, I have to say this. I can’t start down this road I want to go down with you until I put that out on the table.”
She saw his eyes begin to glisten.
Softly, Joe shrugged. “I don’t know why I couldn’t tell you the truth before. Fact is, I couldn’t bring myself to tell anybody.” His face was traced with shame. “I’ve been such a coward, Laurel. All these years, I put it off on my brother, but... Tom Zoring, he didn’t just hurt Clay, Laurel. He hurt me.” A tear slipped down Joe’s cheek. Quickly, he wiped it away. “Guess I’ve spent the last three decades trying to prove I was still a man.”
Admiration welled inside of Laurel. “You’re not a coward, Joe. So far from it. Takes a lot of courage to say what you just did.”
“Yeah, well...” he said, “there’s something more I need to say to you. And I’ll confess. I’m still trying to work up the nerve.”
Her lips parted. What was this?
“Over the past couple of days, I’ve... I’ve just been astounded with what’s been happening inside me. It’s all so staggering. I can’t get away from it.” He paused. “I hope this won’t scare you when I say what I need to now. It’s something I’ve never said in my life before. Not to another soul.”
Laurel’s breath caught in her throat.
Tenderly, Joe stroked her hand. “I know it must seem soon, but with everything in me, I love you, Laurel. And I just pray that, somehow, I can be man enough for you.”
Ever so gently, she drew Joe close. “I adore you, precious man. You are more than enough for me. So much more.” Tenderly, she covered his lips with a kiss. So long, she had waited to be loved, just the way Joe loved her.
In the bliss of his strong arms, Laurel couldn’t help but wonder. What had she ever done to deserve a man like Joe? The answer resonated so warmly, so readily, throughout her entire being. They’d done nothing at all to deserve this gift God had lavished upon them in each other. Nothing whatsoever.
It was the pure extravagance of grace.
about the author
SUSAN ROHRER is an honor graduate of James Madison University where she studied Art and Communications, and thereafter married in her native state of Virginia.
A professional writer, producer, and director specializing in life-affirming entertainment, Rohrer’s credits in one or more of these capacities include: a screen adaptation of God’s Trombones; 100 episodes of drama series Another Life; Humanitas Prize finalist & Emmy winner Never Say Goodbye; Emmy nominees Terrible Things My Mother Told Me and The Emancipation of Lizzie Stern; anthology No Earthly Reason; NAACP Image Award nominee Mother’s Day; AWRT Public Service Award winner (for addressing the problem of teen sexual harassment) Sexual Considerations; comedy series Sweet Valley High; telefilms Book of Days, and Another Pretty Face; Emmy nominee & Humanitas Prize finalist If I Die Before I Wake; as well as Film Advisory Board & Christopher Award winner About Sarah.
Among the other books she has authored, Rohrer’s previous fictional titles, Merry’s Christmas: a love story; Virtually Mine: a love story; and Bright Christmas: an Amish love story; Bridle My Heart: Second Chance Cowboys; and Gifted: a love story are also part of the Redeeming Romance Series, an anthology of inspirational love stories adapted from Rohrer’s original screenplays.
OTHER REDEEMING ROMANCES
BY SUSAN ROHRER
Click below to sample, borrow, or order:
http://www.amazon.com/Susan-Rohrer/e/B005F0CHLU
NONFICTION BY SUSAN ROHRER
Click below to sample, borrow, or order:
http://www.amazon.com/Susan-Rohrer/e/B005F0CHLU
A Final Note
Before We Say Goodbye
Dear Reader,
Thanks so much for the time we’ve spent together as you’ve read this book. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it.
Would you consider posting a quick review? It’s easy. Just go to this book’s page via its Amazon link below. You’ll get to share your reading experience with family, friends, as well as other readers across the world, and I’ll truly appreciate your feedback.
Gratefully,
Susan Rohrer
http://www.amazon.com/What-Laurel-Sees-Redeeming-Romance-ebook/dp/B00K3PXMC0
